The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) introduced
two performance standards; Category 6 (CAT6) and Category 6A (CAT6A). However,
there is no CAT6e standard. This blog helps explain.

Common Usage

CAT6

CAT6e

CAT6A

Phone Lines

✓

✓

X

Home Network

✓

✓

X

Office Network

✓

✓

✓

Data Center

X

✓

✓

Features/Specs

Potential Bandwidth (per sec)

1GB

1GB

10G

Time to transfer 1 Terabyte

3 hours

3 hours

20 minutes

Data Transmission

1000 BASE-TX

Exceeds 1000 BASE-TX

10GBASE-T

Connector Type

RJ45 8P8C (for CAT6)

RJ45 (for CAT6)

RJ45 (for CAT6A)

Frequency Range Minimum

0 - 250 MHz

0 - 250 MHz

0 - 500 MHz

Frequency Maximum

500 MHz

550 MHz

600 MHz

Performance Distance

328 Feet

328 Feet

328 Feet

Alt. Distance

10Gb 180ft

10Gb 180ft

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CAT6

TIA’s CAT6 standard sets the bar for CAT6 cables and
connectivity. The data transmission must perform above the TIA limit for up to
250MHz. The cable can extend up to 100 meters and transfer
data at a maximum data rate of 1Gbps (1000-BASE-T).

CAT6A

Another version of the CAT6 standard is available; it is
labeled as CAT6A and is considered an advancement of CAT6. TIA set the limit at
500MHz, which is double the CAT6 standard. The CAT6A cable can extend up to 100
meters and transfer data at a maximum data rate
of 10Gbps (10GBASE-T).

CAT6e

CAT6e is not an actual standard. It has not been implemented
or qualified by the TIA or any other reputable organization or commission.
CAT6e is incomparable to CAT6 because the standard technically does not exist.
A correct comparison would be between CAT6 and CAT6A. CAT6 is the original
version, while CAT6A is the advanced version.

Although CAT6e is not technically a recognized
standard, some manufacturers still manufacture products labeled with the CAT6e
classification. For their purposes, CAT6e means CAT6 “enhanced”. It indicates
enhancements of the original CAT6 specification that
exceed the TIA limit. Typically, CAT6e claims to: double transmission frequency
from 250MHz to 500MHz or even 550MHz; be equipped with a grounded foil
shielding that helps data transmission reach up to 10 Gigabit Ethernet; and
extend to a maximum length of 100 meters.